The Los Angeles Lakers are young, and growing pains are to be expected. However, the team certainly wanted to start their 2015-16 campaign in better fashion.
After giving away the season opener to the Minnesota Timberwolves and getting run out of the building against the Sacramento Kings, next up on the schedule was the ageless Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.
One would think the Lakers would start fast, coming off a lackluster performance, especially on the defensive end. But once again, Los Angeles started slower than an old, battered car in the wintertime.
The Lakers spotted the Mavericks 15 points out of the gate, and could never get back, despite Julius Randle’s best efforts. The 20-year-old had the best game of his young career, tallying 22 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Outside of Randle, one would be hard-pressed to find another bright spot for the purple and gold.
The Lakers remain winless after three games, with the Denver Nuggets coming to town on Tuesday, before hitting the road for five straight games.
If Los Angeles is unable to figure some things out in a hurry, this poor start could get ugly, real fast.
